JP2010082027A - Image display system, recording medium, program, and image display method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accelerate image processing, to shorten the display waiting time of composite images, and to accelerate a diagnosing speed when applied to radiation image diagnosing for instance. <P>SOLUTION: The image display system includes: an image memory 64 wherein at least first radiation image information S<SB>1</SB>and second radiation image information S<SB>2</SB>are recorded; a data memory 66 wherein various kinds of information are registered; a background image display part 70 for displaying the second radiation image information S<SB>2</SB>by the radiation of high energy as a background image; a frame display part 74 for displaying a frame 72 in the background image 68; a load subtraction processing part 76 for obtaining the composite image S by performing load subtraction processing of the first radiation image information S<SB>1</SB>and the second radiation image information S<SB>2</SB>only for a range within the displayed frame 72; and a composite image display part 78 for displaying the obtained composite image S in the range within the frame. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display system, a recording medium, a program, and an image display method for displaying a composite image at an arbitrary position of a background image. For example, a normal image of an energy subtraction image used in radiographic diagnosis, a bone image, and The present invention relates to an image display system, a recording medium, a program, and an image display method suitable for use in a diagnostic system for displaying a soft part image.

  In general, in energy subtraction processing, two types of radiation images are acquired by irradiating the same subject with radiation having different energy distributions, and weighting is performed between each piece of radiation image information, followed by subtraction processing. The image of the object (energy subtraction image: hereinafter referred to as an energy sub image) is extracted.

  The energy sub-image is composed of a high-pressure image and a low-pressure image (an image including a bone part and a soft tissue) obtained by normal imaging, a bone part image created from these images, and a soft part image. As a display method of each image, in the conventional technique, in one image obtained by combining a bone part image and a soft part image, a method of distinguishing a bone part and a soft part tissue by coloring one of the images (see Patent Document 1). ), And a technique of giving a three-dimensional depth to a difference signal between a bone part image and a soft part image to form one three-dimensional image (see Patent Document 2).

  However, in the conventional methods shown in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, since the bone part image and the soft part image are displayed as one image (composite image), there is a problem that information is excessive and difficult to see. Further, when it is desired to confirm only one image (for example, a soft part image) from the composite image, a procedure of canceling the composite image display process and selecting an image to be viewed is necessary, which is troublesome. Furthermore, since the entire image is synthesized, it takes time for the synthesis process. In addition, the composite image is not always in a state that is most easily viewable by the user, and there is a problem that a means for changing the composite image is often not provided.

  By the way, in the temporal subtraction, as a technique for solving the above-described problem, there has been proposed a technique (see Patent Document 3) in which a plurality of images observed at intervals are displayed side by side. However, temporal subtraction is an effective technique for comparing images taken under the same conditions, and is not always effective for energy sub-images taken and generated under different conditions. However, since the bone part and the soft tissue are originally different images, there is a problem that it is difficult to intuitively know where to compare even if the bone part image and the soft part image are displayed side by side.

JP-A-3-132272 JP-A-3-133276 JP 2008-68099 A

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and can increase the speed of image processing, reduce the display waiting time of a composite image, and, for example, when applied to radiological image diagnosis An object of the present invention is to provide an image display system, a recording medium, a program, and an image display method capable of improving diagnosis speed.

  Another object of the present invention is that the degree of synthesis of a plurality of images constituting a synthesized image can be easily and stepwise adjusted by an operation input to the input device, and is applied to, for example, radiological image diagnosis. In some cases, an image display system, a recording medium, a program, and an image display method that can facilitate diagnosis are provided.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an image display system and a recording medium that can clarify the positional relationship of a composite image with respect to a background image, and can facilitate diagnosis when applied to, for example, radiographic image diagnosis. Another object is to provide a program and an image display method.

  An image display system according to a first aspect of the present invention is an image display system including a computer, a display device connected to the computer, and an input device. The display device includes an image including at least a first object and a second object. Background image display means for displaying as a background image, composite image display means for displaying a composite image of a first image including at least the first object and a second image including at least the second object in the background image, The image processing apparatus includes: a composition changing unit configured to change a composition degree of the first image and the second image of the composite image based on an operation input to the input device.

  Next, a recording medium according to a second aspect of the present invention includes an image display system having a computer, a display device and an input device connected to the computer, and the display device includes at least a first object and a second object. Background image display means for displaying an image as a background image, composite image display means for displaying a composite image of a first image including at least the first object and a second image including at least the second object in the background image, A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a composition change unit to change a composition degree of the first image and the second image of a composite image based on an operation input to the input device is recorded. .

  Next, a program according to a third aspect of the present invention provides an image display system including a computer, a display device and an input device connected to the computer, and an image including at least a first object and a second object on the display device. A background image display means for displaying a background image, a composite image display means for displaying a composite image of a first image including at least the first object and a second image including at least the second object in the background image, and the composite It is a program for functioning as a composition change means for changing the degree of composition of the first image and the second image of an image based on an operation input to the input device.

  Next, an image display method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is an image display method used in an image display system having a computer, a display device connected to the computer, and an input device. A step of displaying an image including one object and a second object as a background image, and a composite image of a first image including at least the first object and a second image including at least the second object in the background image. And a step of changing a degree of synthesis of the first image and the second image of the synthesized image based on an operation input by the input device.

  As described above, according to the image display system, the recording medium, the program, and the image display method according to the present invention, it is possible to speed up the image processing and reduce the display waiting time of the composite image. For example, when applied to radiation image diagnosis, the diagnosis speed can be improved.

  In addition, the degree of synthesis of a plurality of images constituting a synthesized image can be adjusted easily and stepwise by an operation input to the input device. For example, when applied to radiological image diagnosis, diagnosis is facilitated. be able to.

  In addition, the positional relationship of the composite image with respect to the background image can be clarified. For example, when applied to radiographic image diagnosis, diagnosis can be facilitated.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which an image display system, a recording medium, a program, and an image display method according to the present invention are applied to, for example, a radiation imaging system that performs energy subtraction processing will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the radiation imaging system 10 according to the present embodiment is based on a radiation source 14 that irradiates a subject 12 with radiation X and imaging conditions such as a set tube voltage, tube current, and irradiation time. Detected by a radiation source controller 16 that controls the radiation source 14, a radiation detector 20 having a radiation detector 18 that converts the radiation X transmitted through the subject 12 into charge information and converts it into radiation image information, and the radiation detector 18. An image processing unit 22 that performs image processing on the radiographic image information, a display control unit 26 that displays the radiographic image information processed by the image processing unit 22 on a monitor 24, a coordinate input device such as a mouse or a touch panel, and the like. An input device 28 having a keyboard and the like, and a console 30 for controlling the radiation source control unit 16, the image processing unit 22, and the like are provided.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the radiation detector 18 includes a sensor substrate 38, a gate line driving circuit 44, a signal reading circuit 46, and a timing control circuit 48 that controls the gate line driving circuit 44 and the signal reading circuit 46. Is provided.

  In the sensor substrate 38, a photoelectric conversion layer 51 made of a substance such as amorphous selenium (a-Se) that senses radiation X and generates charges is disposed on an array of thin film transistors (TFTs) 52. After the generated charge is stored in the storage capacitor 53, the TFT 52 is sequentially turned on for each row, and the charge is read out as an image signal. In FIG. 2, only the connection relationship between one pixel 50 including the photoelectric conversion layer 51 and the storage capacitor 53 and one TFT 52 is shown, and the configuration of the other pixels 50 is omitted. Amorphous selenium must be used within a predetermined temperature range because its structure changes and its function decreases at high temperatures. A gate line 54 extending parallel to the row direction and a signal line 56 extending parallel to the column direction are connected to the TFT 52 connected to each pixel 50. Each gate line 54 is connected to the gate line drive circuit 44, and each signal line 56 is connected to the signal readout circuit 46.

  The radiation detection apparatus 20 includes, for example, a first type having one radiation detector 18 as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, and two radiation detectors 18 (first radiation detector 18A and 18A as shown in FIG. 4). There is a second radiation detector 18B) and a second type in which a filter 60 (for example, a copper plate) is interposed therebetween. In the second type, the second radiation detector 18 </ b> B is installed near the irradiation surface 20 a of the radiation detection apparatus 20.

If the radiation detection apparatus 20 is the first type, the radiation source control unit 16 applies the radiation X to the subject 12 at the first time and the second time as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Radiation (first radiation Xa and second radiation Xb) having different energies is irradiated after a predetermined time. Here, the energy of the first radiation Xa <the energy of the second radiation Xb. In this case, the radiation detection apparatus 20 converts the first first radiation Xa (low energy) that has passed through the subject 12 into charge information to acquire first radiation image information S ₁ , and further passes through the subject 12. second second radiation Xb (high energy) to obtain the second radiation image information S ₂ is converted into charge information.

If the radiation detection apparatus 20 is the second type, the radiation source control unit 16 irradiates the subject 12 with the radiation X only once as shown in FIG. In this case, the first radiation detector 18A of the radiation detection apparatus 20 converts the radiation (low energy) transmitted through the subject 12, the second radiation detector 18B, and the filter 60 into charge information, thereby converting the first radiation image information S _1. To get. The second radiation detector 18B obtains the second radiation image information S ₂ converts the radiation that has passed through the subject 12 (high energy) into charge information.

The first radiation image information S ₁ and the second radiation image information S ₂ described above are transferred (transmitted) from the radiation detection apparatus 20 to the image processing unit 22 wirelessly or via a cable.

The image processing unit 22 includes an image memory 64 in which at least the first radiation image information S ₁ and the second radiation image information S ₂ are recorded, a data memory 66 in which various types of information are registered, and a second radiation by high energy radiation. A background image display unit 70 that displays the image information S2 as a background image 68 (see FIG. 6A), a frame display unit 74 that displays a frame 72 (see FIG. 6A) on the background image 68, and a range within the displayed frame 72 The load subtraction processing unit 76 that obtains the composite image S by performing the load subtraction process of the first radiological image information S ₁ and the second radiological image information S ₂ only on the basis of the range within the frame 72 And a composite image display unit 78 for displaying the image.

  The frame display unit 74 displays a frame 72 having a preset size at a preset position (for example, the central portion) on the display screen of the monitor 24. As another example, for example, a frame display table 80 in which a display position and a display size are registered for each imaging region is recorded in the data memory 66, and the display position corresponding to the imaging region of this time is recorded from the frame display table 80. The display size information is read, and the frame 72 is displayed based on the read information. At the stage where the frame 72 is displayed, the frame information 82 relating to the range (address on the video memory) within the frame 72 is recorded in the data memory 66.

The weight subtraction process is performed by using the first radiation image information S ₁ , the second radiation image information S ₂ , the weighting coefficients k ₁ and k ₂ , and the coefficient k ₃ that makes the contrast and density appropriate,
S = k ₁ · S ₁ + k ₂ · S ₂ + k ₃
It is a process to obtain as.

By appropriately setting the coefficients k ₁ and k ₂ , it is possible to extract an image of a desired imaging region, for example, an image of a bone part (bone part image) or an image of a soft tissue (soft part image). This is because the degree of synthesis of the bone part image and the soft part image changes by changing at least the weighting coefficients k ₁ and k _2. For example, the composite image S or the bone part image that is gradually superimposed on the soft part image The composite image S in which the soft part image is gradually superimposed on the bone part image can be obtained.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the load subtraction process is performed on the first radiation image information S1 and the second radiation image information S2 only for the range within the frame 72, not the entire screen of the monitor 24. Processing speed can be increased. Further, since the composite image S can be displayed within the range within the frame 72, the display time of the composite image S can be greatly reduced.

Furthermore, the image processing unit 22 includes a composition change unit 84 that changes the coefficients K _{1 to} k ₃ used in the load subtraction process based on an operation input to the input device 28.

  The composition changing unit 84 displays a first mark 86a symbolizing the bone part image and a second mark 86b symbolizing the soft part image at a density according to the degree of synthesis of the bone part image and the soft part image, A bar display unit 92 that displays a scroll bar 90 representing a density histogram of the composite image S, and an index display unit that displays an index 94 (indicator) at a position specified by an operation input to the input device 28 in the scroll bar 90. 96.

The composition changing unit 84 changes the composition degree of the bone part image and the soft part image of the composite image S to a composition degree corresponding to the density indicated by the index 94. That is, the coefficients k _{1 to} k ₃ are changed to values corresponding to the density indicated by the index 94. Therefore, the composite image S displayed in the frame 72 by the composite image display unit 78 has a combination degree and display density of the bone part image and the soft part image depending on the position of the index 94 as shown in FIGS. 6A to 8, for example. Change. For example, assuming that a scroll bar 90 (a scroll bar where the left end is the darkest and the density gradually decreases toward the right end) is displayed, FIG. 6A shows a composite image when the index 94 is positioned at the left end. 6B shows a composite image when the index 94 is moved by ¼ from the left end toward the right end. 7A shows a composite image when the index 94 is positioned at the center, and FIG. 7B shows a composite image when the index 94 is moved by 3/4 from the left end toward the right end. Indicates a composite image when the index 94 is positioned at the right end.

  For example, when the index 94 is positioned at the left end, as shown in FIG. 6A, a composite image having a bone portion ratio of 100% in the frame 72, that is, the bone portion image has the density at the left end of the scroll bar 90 as a reference concentration. Along with this, a first mark 86a (indicated by “B”) symbolizing the bone part image is displayed at a density (dark) at the left end of the scroll bar 90, and a second mark 86b (“S” symbolizing the soft part image) is displayed. Are displayed at the density (light) at the right end of the scroll bar 90.

  On the other hand, when the index 94 is positioned at the right end, as shown in FIG. 8, a composite image having a soft tissue ratio of 100% in the frame 72, that is, the soft portion image indicates the density at the right end of the scroll bar 90 as a reference density. At the same time, the first mark 86a symbolizing the bone part image is displayed with the density (light) at the right end of the scroll bar 90, and the second mark 86b symbolizing the soft part image is displayed with the density at the left end of the scroll bar 90 ( Dark).

  When the index 94 is positioned at the center, as shown in FIG. 7A, a composite image in which the ratio of the bone part and the soft tissue is 50% in each frame 72, that is, the bone part image and the soft part image are respectively displayed on the scroll bar 90. The density at the center is displayed as a reference density, and the first mark 86a and the second mark 86b are displayed at the density at the center of the scroll bar 90, respectively.

  For example, when the index 94 positioned at the left end of the scroll bar 90 is moved toward the right end, the composite image S in the frame 72 gradually decreases in proportion to the bone portion as the index 94 moves, and the soft part. The tissue ratio gradually increases, and the total density gradually changes to a composite image S, and the first mark 86a gradually changes to a lighter density and the second mark 86b gradually changes to a higher density. I will do it. Of course, on the contrary, when the index 94 located at the right end of the scroll bar 90 is moved toward the left end, the composite image S in the frame 72 gradually has a bone portion ratio as the index 94 moves. The ratio of the soft tissue gradually decreases, and the combined image S is gradually increased in total density, and the first mark 86a is gradually increased in density and the second mark 86b is increased in density. Gradually change to a lighter concentration. Since the image processing unit 22 can speed up the image processing, it is possible to display such a change in the composite image S and a change in the density of the first mark 86a and the second mark 86b in real time.

  As a display form of the scroll bar 90, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A, a form slightly displayed below the lower side of the frame 72 and parallel to the lower side, or as shown in FIG. 9A, 9B, which is a position slightly shifted to the right side of the right side of the frame 72 and displayed in parallel to the right side, as shown in FIG. 9B, at a position slightly shifted to the left side of the left side of the frame 72. In addition, there is a form of displaying in parallel with the left side.

  In these display modes, in consideration of input on the touch panel, when the display is performed at a position below the lower side of the frame 72, the length of the scroll bar 90 (the length from the left end to the right end) is set to the frame 72. It is preferable to make it longer than the length of the lower side. In the example of FIG. 6A, a display mode in which the length of the scroll bar 90 is double the length of the lower side of the frame 72 and the center of the frame 72 and the center of the scroll bar 90 are matched so that input on the touch panel is easy. It has become. Moreover, when displaying close to the right side or the left side of the frame 72, it is preferable to display in a position where the user can easily operate in consideration of the user's dominant arm. For example, the scroll bar 90 is displayed close to the right side of the frame 72 to prevent the image from being invisible with an arm if it is right-handed, and is displayed close to the left side of the frame 72 if left-handed. These display modes may be set in advance by the user, or after the scroll bar 90 is displayed at the default position, the user can move it to a desired position by dragging the touch panel or the mouse. Also good. Of course, the movement of the index 94 of the scroll bar 90 may be performed by a drag operation of the mouse or the like in addition to the method using the touch panel described above.

  Further, the image processing unit 22 has a second frame 98 (see FIG. 10) different from the frame 72 at a position where the frame 72 is enlarged or reduced based on an operation input indicating enlargement or reduction to the input device 28. The composite image display unit 78 includes a second frame display unit 100 that displays an image. The composite image display unit 78 enlarges or reduces the composite image drawn in the frame 72 based on an operation input indicating enlargement or reduction. It has an enlargement / reduction display unit 102 for displaying in the range.

  As an operation input indicating enlargement or reduction, when a touch panel is assumed, a method of performing an operation for enlarging or reducing the frame 72 on the screen of the monitor 24, or a mouse as the input device 28 is assumed. There is a method of performing an operation of enlarging or reducing by dragging the frame 72.

  Normally, when an operation input for enlarging or reducing the frame 72 is performed, the frame 72 itself is enlarged or reduced, and the display of the frame 72 before the operation input is deleted. Therefore, there is a possibility that it is not possible to know how much the image has been enlarged or reduced before the operation input.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, when the second frame display unit 100 performs an operation input for enlarging or reducing the frame 72, the second frame 98 different from the frame 72 is enlarged or reduced. Therefore, there is an advantage that it can be intuitively understood how much the image has been enlarged or reduced before the operation input. Then, when the enlargement rate or reduction rate is determined, a trigger is given. For example, the mouse performs a left click or the like, and the touch panel performs an operation such as releasing a finger.

  The enlargement / reduction display unit 102 enlarges or reduces the composite image S drawn in the frame 72 at the determined enlargement rate or reduction rate based on the input of the trigger described above, and also within the range within the frame 72. indicate. Therefore, since the range of enlargement or reduction of the composite image S is within the frame 72, the time required for the enlargement process or reduction process of the composite image S can be shortened. The time required for displaying S can also be shortened.

  The radiation imaging system 10 according to the present embodiment is basically configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described next.

  First, in step S1 of FIG. 11, the patient information of the patient 12 (subject) to be imaged is registered in advance in the console 30 prior to imaging. If the imaging region and imaging method are determined in advance, these imaging conditions are also registered in advance.

  Thereafter, in step S2 of FIG. 11, when radiographic image information is taken in an operating room, a medical examination, or a roundabout in a hospital, the doctor or radiologist is, for example, at a predetermined position between the patient 12 and the bed. The radiation detection device 20 is installed with the irradiation surface 20a on the radiation source 14 side.

  Next, in step S3 of FIG. 11, after appropriately moving the radiation source 14 to a position facing the radiation detection apparatus 20, the doctor or the radiographer operates the imaging switch of the radiation source 14 to perform imaging.

  At this time, if the radiation detection device 20 is the first type shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the radiation source 14 is controlled by the tube voltage and the tube current based on the first imaging condition to irradiate the subject 12 with the first radiation Xa. As a result, the first shot is taken (see FIG. 3A).

The first radiation Xa that has passed through the subject 12 is converted into an electrical signal by the photoelectric conversion layer 51 of each pixel 50 that constitutes the sensor substrate 38 of the radiation detector 18, and is stored as a charge in the storage capacitor 53. Next, the charge information, which is the radiation image information S ₁ of the first shot of the subject 12 stored in each storage capacitor 53, is supplied from the timing control circuit 48 to the gate line driving circuit 44 and the signal readout circuit 46. Accordingly, the data is read from the sensor substrate 38.

That is, the gate line driving circuit 44 selects one of the gate lines 54 in accordance with the timing control signal from the timing control circuit 48 and supplies a driving signal to the base of each TFT 52 connected to the selected gate line 54. . On the other hand, the signal readout circuit 46 selects the signal line 56 connected to the charge detection circuit 57 while sequentially switching in the row direction in accordance with the timing control signal from the timing control circuit 48. The charge information related to the first radiation image information S ₁ stored in the storage capacitor 53 of the pixel 50 corresponding to the selected gate line 54 and signal line 56 is supplied to the image processing unit 22 as an image signal. After the image signal is read from each pixel 50 arranged in the row direction, the gate line drive circuit 44 selects the next gate line 54 in the column direction and supplies a drive signal, and the signal read circuit 46 Similarly, an image signal is read from the TFT 52 connected to the selected gate line 54. By repeating the above operation, the two-dimensional first radiation image information S ₁ stored in the sensor substrate 38 is read and supplied to the image processing unit 22.

  Next, the radiation source control unit 16 controls the radiation source 14 with the tube voltage and the tube current based on the second imaging condition, and irradiates the subject 12 with the second radiation Xb, thereby performing the second shot imaging. Since the second shot is taken immediately after the first shot based on the preset second shooting condition, the subject 12 moves between the first shot and the second shot. Motion artifacts will not occur.

The second shot second radiation image information S ₂ detected by the radiation detector 18 is read in the same manner as the first shot first radiation image information S ₁ and supplied to the image processing unit 22.

On the other hand, if the radiation detection device 20 is the second type shown in FIG. 4, the radiation source control unit 16 controls the radiation source 14 with a tube voltage and a tube current based on a predetermined imaging condition to cause the radiation X to be applied to the subject 12. Shooting by irradiation. The radiation X transmitted through the subject 12, the first radiation detector 18A, and the filter 60 is converted into an electrical signal by the photoelectric conversion layer 51 of each pixel 50 constituting the sensor substrate 38 of the first radiation detector 18A, and the storage capacitor 53 Accumulated as electric charge. Similarly, the radiation X that has passed through the subject 12 is converted into an electrical signal by the photoelectric conversion layer 51 of each pixel 50 that constitutes the sensor substrate 38 of the second radiation detector 18 </ b> B, and is accumulated as a charge in the storage capacitor 53. Accordingly, the first radiation image information S ₁ and the second radiation image information S ₂ are read from the first radiation detector 18A and the second radiation detector 18B, respectively, and supplied to the image processing unit 22.

Next, in step S4 of FIG. 11, the background image display unit 70 of the image processing unit 22 uses the second radiation image information S ₂ out of the supplied first radiation image information S ₁ and second radiation image information S _2. Is displayed on the monitor 24 as a background image 68 (normal image for diagnosis).

  Thereafter, in step S5 of FIG. 11, the frame display unit 74 reads out information about the display position and the display size corresponding to the current imaging region from the frame display table 80 at the preset position and size, and sets the frame 72. indicate.

  Thereafter, in step S6 of FIG. 11, the bar display unit 92 displays the scroll bar 90 at a preset position, and the index display unit 96 is an index 94 at the center in the length direction of the scroll bar 90 in the initial stage. Is displayed.

Thereafter, in step S7 of FIG. 11, the load subtraction processing unit 76 performs the first radiation image information S ₁ , the second radiation image information S ₂ , the weighting coefficients k ₁ and k ₂ , the coefficients that make the contrast and density appropriate. based on the K _3,
Composite image S = K ₁ · S ₁ + K ₂ · S ₂ + K ₃
Ask for. In the initial stage, for example, a composite image S in which the ratio of the bone part image and the soft part image is 50% is obtained.

  Thereafter, in step S <b> 8 of FIG. 11, the composite image display unit 78 displays the composite image S obtained as described above in a range within the frame 72. The mark display unit 88 displays the first mark 86 a and the second mark 86 b at predetermined positions in the frame 72. The composite image S, the first mark 86a, and the second mark 86b are displayed at the density of the central portion indicated by the initial index 94 in the density histogram represented by the scroll bar 90.

  Thereafter, in step S9 of FIG. 12, input by the input device 28 is awaited. If there is an input, the process proceeds to step S10 in FIG. If there is no end request for image processing, the process proceeds to step S11 in FIG. 12, and processing corresponding to the type of input request is performed.

That is, if it is a change request for the frame 72, the process proceeds to step S12, and the display position and size of the frame 72 are appropriately changed based on the operation input to the input device 28. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S13, and the load subtraction processing unit 76 subtracts the load (subtraction coefficients k _{1 to} k _{3) from} the first radiation image information S ₁ and the second radiation image information S ₂ corresponding to the display position and size of the frame 72. To obtain a new composite image S. Thereafter, in step S <b> 14, the composite image display unit 78 displays the changed composite image S in a range within the changed frame 72.

If it is a change request for the composite image S (when the index 94 of the scroll bar 90 has been changed), the process proceeds to step S15 in FIG. The composite image S is obtained by changing the coefficients k _{1 to} k ₃ so that the ratio and the density correspond to the position of the index 94 after the change. Thereafter, in step S <b> 16, the composite image display unit 78 displays the changed composite image S in a range within the frame 72.

  If the request is for enlargement or reduction of the composite image S, the process proceeds to step S17 in FIG. 12, and the second frame display unit 100 moves the frame 72 to the position where the frame 72 is enlarged or reduced based on an operation input indicating enlargement or reduction. A second frame 98 image different from 72 is displayed. Thereafter, in step S18, input of a trigger is awaited. For example, when a trigger is input by performing an operation such as a left click on the mouse or releasing a finger from the touch panel, the process proceeds to the next step S19, and the enlargement / reduction display unit 102 is drawn in the frame 72. The composite image S being displayed is enlarged or reduced at the determined enlargement rate or reduction rate and displayed in the same range within the frame 72.

  When the process in step S14, step S16, or step S19 in FIG. 12 is completed, the process returns to step S9 and subsequent steps. Then, when it is determined in step S10 that the request is an image processing end request, the processing in the radiation imaging system 10 ends.

  As described above, in the radiation imaging system 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to increase the speed of image processing and to shorten the display waiting time of the composite image S. Therefore, it is possible to greatly shorten the time required for interpretation of the radiographic image, and to improve the diagnosis speed. Further, the degree of synthesis of a plurality of images constituting the composite image S can be adjusted easily and stepwise by an operation input to the input device 28, and diagnosis using a radiographic image can be facilitated. . Furthermore, since the positional relationship of the composite image S with respect to the background image 68 can be clarified, interpretation and diagnosis can be made easier.

  In the above example, the radiation detector 18 uses a method (direct conversion method) in which the incident radiation X is directly converted into an electrical signal by the photoelectric conversion layer 51. Instead, the incident radiation X is converted by a scintillator. Once converted into visible light, a radiation detector that converts the visible light into an electrical signal using a solid state detection element such as amorphous silicon (a-Si) may be used (indirect conversion method: Patent No. 1). 3494683).

  Furthermore, radiation image information can also be acquired using a light readout type radiation detector. In this optical readout type radiation detector, when radiation is incident on the solid detection elements arranged in a matrix, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the dose is accumulated and recorded on the solid detection elements. When reading the electrostatic latent image, the radiation detector is irradiated with reading light, and the value of the generated current is acquired as radiation image information. After the radiation image information is read, the radiation image information, which is a remaining electrostatic latent image, can be erased and reused by irradiating the radiation detector with erasing light (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-105297). See the official gazette).

  In the radiation detector 18 described above, an example in which the TFT 52 is used has been described. Alternatively, the radiation detector 18 may be implemented in combination with another imaging element such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor. Furthermore, it can be replaced by a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) image sensor that transfers charges while shifting the charges by a shift pulse corresponding to the gate signal referred to in the TFT 52.

  The image display system, the recording medium, the program, and the image display method according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention. .

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the radiography system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of a radiation detector. FIG. 3A is an explanatory view showing a state in which the first type radiation detection apparatus is irradiated with the first radiation (low energy), and FIG. 3B shows the second type radiation (high energy) with respect to the first type radiation detection apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which irradiated. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which irradiated the radiation with respect to the 2nd type radiation detection apparatus. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of an image process part. FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram showing a combination of the background image and the composite image when the index is positioned at the left end of the scroll bar, and FIG. 6B shows the background image and the index 1/4 from the left end to the right end of the scroll bar. It is explanatory drawing which shows the combination with a synthesized image when only moving. FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram showing a combination of the background image and the composite image when the index is positioned at the center of the scroll bar, and FIG. 7B shows 3/4 of the background image and the index from the left end to the right end of the scroll bar. It is explanatory drawing which shows the combination with a synthesized image when only moving. It is explanatory drawing which shows the combination with a synthesized image when a background image and a parameter | index are located in the right end of a scroll bar. FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram showing a form in which the scroll bar is shifted slightly to the right from the right side of the frame and displayed parallel to the right side, and FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating the scroll bar from the left side of the frame. It is explanatory drawing which shows the form which was slightly shifted to the left and displayed in parallel with the left side. It is explanatory drawing which shows the display form of the 2nd frame displayed when enlarging or reducing the synthesized image in a frame. It is a flowchart (the 1) which shows operation | movement of the radiography system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart (the 2) which shows operation | movement of the radiography system which concerns on this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... Radiography system 12 ... Subject (patient)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Radiation source 18 ... Radiation detector 18A ... 1st radiation detector 18B ... 2nd radiation detector 20 ... Radiation detection device 22 ... Image processing part 24 ... Monitor 28 ... Input device 64 ... Image memory 66 ... Data memory 68 ... Background image 70 ... Background image display section 72 ... Frame 74 ... Frame display section 76 ... Load subtraction processing section 78 ... Composite image display section 84 ... Composite change section 86a ... First mark 86b ... Second mark 88 ... Mark display section 90 ... Scroll bar 92 ... Bar display section 94 ... Index 96 ... Index display section 98 ... Second frame 100 ... Second frame display section S ₁ ... First radiation image information S ₂ ... Second radiation image information S ... Composite image

Claims (13)

In an image display system having a computer, a display device and an input device connected to the computer,
Background image display means for displaying an image including at least a first object and a second object as a background image on the display device;
A composite image display means for displaying a composite image of a first image including at least the first object and a second image including at least the second object on the background image;
An image display system, comprising: composition changing means for changing a degree of synthesis of the first image and the second image of the synthesized image based on an operation input to the input device. The image display system according to claim 1,
Furthermore, it has a frame display means for displaying a frame on the background image,
The composite image display means displays the composite image in a displayed frame. The image display system according to claim 2,
The frame display means displays the frame at a position specified by an operation input to the input device in the background image. The image display system according to claim 2 or 3,
Furthermore, it has a second frame display means for displaying a second frame different from the frame at a position where the frame is enlarged or reduced based on an operation input indicating enlargement or reduction to the input device,
The composite image display means includes an enlargement / reduction display means for enlarging or reducing the composite image displayed in the frame based on an operation input indicating enlargement or reduction. In the image display system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The image display system, wherein the composition changing means displays the composite image at a density corresponding to the degree of composition of the first image and the second image. The image display system according to claim 5, wherein
The synthesis changing means further includes:
An image display system comprising mark display means for displaying at least a mark symbolizing the first image at a density corresponding to a degree of synthesis of the first image and the second image. The image display system according to claim 5 or 6,
The composition changing means includes
Bar display means for displaying a scroll bar representing a density histogram of the composite image;
An indicator display means for displaying an indicator (indicator) at a position specified by an operation input to the input device of the scroll bar;
An image display system, wherein the degree of synthesis of the first image and the second image of the synthesized image is changed to a degree of synthesis corresponding to the density indicated by the index. The image display system according to claim 7, wherein
The composite image display means further includes a frame display means for displaying a frame on the background image,
The bar display means displays the scroll bar at an arbitrary position adjacent to the frame. The image display system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Two types of radiation images are acquired by irradiating the same subject with radiation having different energy distributions, and the weighting is performed between each piece of radiation image information, and a subtraction process is performed to extract an image of a specific object. Applied to energy subtraction equipment,
The background image is one of the two types of radiographic images,
The first image is a radiation image in which the first object is extracted by the subtraction process,
2. The image display system according to claim 1, wherein the second image is a radiation image obtained by extracting the second object by the subtraction process. The image display system according to claim 9, wherein
The first object is one of a bone part and a soft tissue, and the second object is either a bone part or a soft tissue, and is different from the first object. An image display system characterized by the above. An image display system having a computer, a display device and an input device connected to the computer,
Background image display means for displaying an image including at least a first object and a second object as a background image on the display device;
A composite image display means for displaying a composite image of a first image including at least the first object and a second image including at least the second object on the background image;
Synthesis changing means for changing the degree of synthesis of the first image and the second image of the synthesized image based on an operation input to the input device;
A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for functioning as a computer is recorded. An image display system having a computer, a display device and an input device connected to the computer,
Background image display means for displaying an image including at least a first object and a second object as a background image on the display device;
A composite image display means for displaying a composite image of a first image including at least the first object and a second image including at least the second object on the background image;
Synthesis changing means for changing the degree of synthesis of the first image and the second image of the synthesized image based on an operation input to the input device;
Program to function as. In an image display method used in an image display system having a computer, a display device connected to the computer, and an input device,
Displaying an image including at least a first object and a second object as a background image on the display device;
Displaying a composite image of a first image including at least the first object and a second image including at least the second object on the background image;
An image display method comprising: changing a degree of synthesis of the first image and the second image of the synthesized image based on an operation input by the input device.

Images